The strike would start on Jan. 29
Unifor workers at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) could be on strike before the end of the month.
Members of Unifor Local 101R, which represents more than 1,200 employees working in mechanical shops and performing maintenance and inspection duties, voted 99 per cent in favour of strike action, the union said on Jan. 14.
Negotiations between the two sides are scheduled for Jan. 24 to 29.
They’ve been at the negotiating table since October.
A strike will begin at 12:01 a.m. EST on Jan. 29 if no deal is reached.
“This strike mandate shows the strength and determination of CPKC workers to achieve a fair deal,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said in a statement. “Members are united in their demands for job security and work ownership, fair wages, and improved working conditions.”
CPKC has not responded to the strike mandate vote.
During previous labour disputes, Canadian ag organizations reissued calls for ag transportation to be deemed essential.
“We urge the government to recognize the transportation and handling of agricultural and perishable goods as essential services, ensuring their uninterrupted flow during labour disputes,” Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, told Farms.com in an emailed statement in December 2024 during the CN and Unifor labour dispute.
The government also needs to take a step back and identify how these situations reach a strike or lockout position.
Labour negotiations involving workers at ports or railyards must be studied to find out where gaps exist, Currie said.
“It is crucial to address the root causes that lead to recurring disruptions,” he said. “We call on the government to work with labour and employer groups to examine and resolve the systemic issues behind the increasing regularity with which labour disputes are disrupting the flow of agricultural goods and the broader Canadian economy.”
At one point, workers in food and transportation were considered essential.
This occurred in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The food and transportation sectors were among the 10 deemed “critical infrastructure.”